Ballblazer
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Ballblazer is a 1985 computer game created by Lucasfilm Games (later LucasArts Entertainment). It was originally released for the Atari 8-bit systems, such as the Atari 800 and the Atari 5200. It was also ported to other popular platforms of the day, such as the Apple II, ZX Spectrum (by Dalali Software Ltd), Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, and the Atari 7800. The Atari 800 version was called Ballblaster during development.
The game is a one-on-one soccer match set in the future. You control a rotofoil and try to snare a floating ball called a Plasmorb, which can then be fired or carried into the opponent's goal, which moved horizontally across the playfield's "endzone." You play on a simple 3D playfield, watching a split-screen first person point of view from both rotofoils (yours and your opponent's). Play against a computer-controlled droid rotofoil or a rotofoil controlled by a human player.
Goals are worth one point if the Plasmorb was "pushed" across the goal, or two or three points if "fired" into the goal, depending on the distance from which the shot was taken. Game play continued until one player earned ten points or when the clock expired, the player with the most points wins. In the event of a tie, the game went into sudden death where the first player to score wins the game.
In 1990, LucasArts and Rainbow Arts released a remake and follow-up to this game, called Masterblazer. This game was released for the Amiga, Atari ST, and PC DOS.
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[edit] Soundtrack
Ballblazer featured fractal based algorithmic music which played continually during play. The music plays forever, without repeating itself but without straying too far from the original theme. The bassline doesn't vary at all, only the lead line in the higher register is fractally varied. The fractal music system was designed by Lucasfilm Games team leader Peter Langston, who also wrote the jazz riff and walking bassline on which the software improvises. Langston, an experienced jazz, rock, and folk musician, said of Ballblazer's music: "One reviewer, an eminent jazz player, said it sounded like John Coltrane did it. I think that's my best compliment so far."
A sample of Ballblazer music (from the Commodore 64 version): Ballblazer.ogg.
[edit] Credits from the game manual
Ballblazer was created by the Lucasfilm Computer Division Games Group. David Levine created the concept, directed the project, and designed and implemented the screen graphics, physical dynamics, control structures, and mainline program. Peter Langston, the Games Group Leader, designed and implemented the sound effects and practice Droid intelligence, composed and programmed the music, and helped devise the game-play mechanisms and strategy. David Riordan and Garry Hare of Search and Design contributed game design elements and game rules. Charlie Kellner helped conceptualize game dynamics. Ideas and support were provided by other members of the Games Group: David Fox provided aesthetic support and Gary Winnick contributed to the Rotofoil design. Special thanks to George Lucas.
